Kansas City MO vs Raleigh NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Raleigh
470,763
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 470,763 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 57.8% | 53.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $435,807 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 51.2% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 61.1°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 46.2 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.1 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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